An Aura Farmer's Guide to Another World
Chapter 71: Welcome to Fish Island

Chapter 71: Welcome to Fish Island

The next day, the five of us set sail on a multi-masted wooden vessel.

The boat belonged to a local fisherman who, after recently selling his catch at the Babilus seaport, was now giving us a ride to Fish Island.

I sat on a wooden plank on the deck with Lucy beside me. The cold wind whipped from north to south, filling the three prominent, large, cream-colored sails.

Less than a hundred meters from shore, multiple boats similar to ours were docked along a wooden bridge that stretched into the Red Sea.

The manual propulsion and absence of steam engines on all the boats starkly highlighted the divide between wealthy cities and poor villages.

The surrounding water’s red hue felt eerie, especially with fish swimming alongside our boat. Yet, the wine-like quality of the water and the soft waves washing ashore created the impression of a strangely beautiful, almost enchanted dream.

Our boat halted beside the wooden bridge, and a sailor accompanying the fisherman quickly tied a knot to a log.

Lana was the first to step out, followed by Lucy and me. The sailor handed me two rigid-framed, leather Gladstone travel bags that opened wide at the top, characteristic of their distinct rectangular and cylindrical shape.

After walking along the wooden bridge, we finally touched solid ground. Nora, the village chief’s daughter, was there to welcome us.

She stood on white snow, clad in a long, flowing cloak of light blue fabric draped over her shoulders, its thick white fur collar framing her face.

A linen shirt was visible beneath her bodice, and she wore blue pants, tucked into her boots.

"Welcome to Fish Island," Nora said, bowing toward us, her hands holding the ends of her cloak. "Father sent me to welcome you."

She rose to reveal a face of striking beauty, her features delicate and luminous, with long white hair contrasting her rich red eyes.

"Lead the way to your house," Lana said, a hint of impatience in her voice as she kicked her leg to shake off the snow.

Nora led the way to her father’s house. I was holding Lana’s bag and mine, my breath visible in the cold air, taking the form of white gas.

We walked along the main road toward the town’s far end, nestled against the mountains. Stone houses with chimneys flanked us. The stone houses were unpainted, and their roofs were made of dark, overlapping slate tiles.

We walked past a group of ladies clad in multi-layered, earthy brown attire, with short, loosely woven shoulder capes, long-sleeved tunics, and sturdy boots, all designed to protect against the cold.

The ladies halted, their eyes flicking towards us. I caught the subtle movements of their lips as they covered their mouths, hushed gossip already beginning.

After hundreds of steps, we reached the edge of town, heading toward a house nestled near the forest.

It was surrounded by a short stone wall, within which a small enclosure housed three donkeys, a horse, and five pigs. It stood out as the village’s only two-story building, three times larger than any other house.

Nora opened the small wooden gate, only the height of her torso, and stepped onto the stone pathway leading to the doorstep.

She then opened the main door and gestured for us to follow her inside. She led us into a living room with three sofas positioned around a round table. Firewood was burning in the fireplace opposite the longest of the three sofas.

"Welcome," Nora said, her gaze sweeping over us with a warm smile. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll go and fetch my father."

We dropped our bags beside the entrance and made our way to the sofas, walking on a wooden floor. Unlike the grand chandeliers of noble estates, this room was lit by candles flickering in various corners.

Cupcake stretched her hands, removed her black leather gloves, and placed them on the round table. She then settled beside me, her shoulder leaning against my body and her head resting on my shoulder.

"It’s too cold," Cupcake said, glancing at the fireplace ahead of us.

Lucy was seated beside Cupcake, staring into the fireplace, when she noticed the wood was barely smoldering. She extended her hand and snapped her fingers.

The wood combusted at once, creating a massive fireball that briefly surged into the room before snapping back into its original place.

The fire vanished, leaving behind ashes and dust. Immediately, the cold intensified, biting deep and making my lungs ache with each breath.

Cupcake snapped upright, turning her neck sharply to face Lucy. "What was that for? You took out the goddamn fire!"

"I was trying to..." Lucy’s voice trailed off, a hint of regret already creeping in.

Cupcake’s brows furrowed, and she folded her arms, her foot tapping impatiently. "What were you trying to do?"

"Forget it, I can do what I want," Lucy blurted out, crossing her arms defiantly.

From the adjacent sofa, Evelyn flung a small metal spoon towards Lucy, barely missing her. "Are you deliberately trying to freeze us to death because you’re immune to the cold?"

Evelyn clutched her shoulders, shivering violently, her teeth chattering as if truly on the verge of freezing. "You’re so incredibly cruel, Lucy! I’m already shivering!"

The air crackled with their escalating argument, a stark contrast to the lingering chill.

"It’s an honor to welcome you, my Lady," Jacob said, stepping into the room from the back door, Nora a quiet shadow behind him.

Lana rose from her seat, crossing the room to meet Jacob. "Thank you, Chief. My students and I are truly grateful for your hospitality."

Jacob and Lana shook hands, and he gestured for her to return to the sofa. "Paul spoke highly of you. Please, feel at home; I’m here to assist you in every way I can," he said.

Lana settled back beside Evelyn, while Jacob took a seat across the table with his daughter, Nora.

"The fire’s out. Nora, go get more wood; we can’t have our guests cold," Jacob instructed.

Her face was etched with confusion as she glanced at the fireplace, a silent question in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then snapped it shut, before rising and leaving the room through a narrow corridor that led to the back door.

"Paul told me you want to train in the mountains." Jacob glanced at Lana. "Are you planning to hunt the wild bears nestled there?"

Lana shook her head, her hands clasped on her thighs. "It’s a small part of our training, Chief. We have far more ambitious goals in those mountains."

Paul lowered his gaze and interlaced his fingers. "There’s something else in those mountains, something far more dangerous than bears. Over the past three months, twelve villagers have perished searching for firewood."

He lifted his chin, his eyes clouded with unmistakable worry. "I strongly urge you not to venture deeper into those mountains."

Lana offered a gentle smile, "I appreciate your concern, Chief, but rest assured, I will personally guarantee the safety of my students in the mountains."

Jacob’s worried creases smoothed as he rose and moved towards the staircase against the western wall. ’This house has four bedrooms,’ Jacob said, indicating the staircase. "I occupy the main bedroom, and Nora uses one of the guest rooms. The ladies can share the largest of the three guest rooms, while the male guest will have the last remaining one."

Jacob then gestured for us to follow him. "Gather your bags, and I will lead you to your rooms."

I carried both Lana’s bag and mine while the other ladies carried theirs, and we headed upstairs to our rooms.